Pediatric Medication Errors

Medication errors in children can be far more harmful that errors in adults. According to a recent article children that are most at risk for medication errors include those:

• who are younger than two years.
• who are in ICUs, especially neonatal ICUs
• who are in EDs, especially if seriously ill, between the hours of 4 AM and 8 AM or on weekends
• who are receiving chemotherapy
• who are receiving IV medication
• whose weight hasn’t been documented
  

This article includes information about calculating the right dosage for children using weight based method, body surface area, status of prematurity, and dilution. It also give indepth commentary on how to avoid medication errors including knowing the medication that is to be administered, confirming that the right patient is receiving the medication, double checking orders, minimizing distractions when administering medications, and communicating with parents/caregivers throughout the child's care.

Even if this topic is very familiar to you, this article is well worth reviewing.

Hughes RG, Edgerton EA. Reducing Pediatric Medication Errors: Children are especially at risk for medication errors. Am J Nurs. 2005 May;105(5):79-84